Pendrell Hall History

A Work of Art


The Arts & Crafts Movement was one of the most far-reaching and influential movements of modern times. It began in Britain around 1880 and grew out of a concern for the damaging effect mass industrialisation was having on traditional skills and crafts and on the lives of ordinary people. At its core was the belief that the home should be a work of art. The two most influential figures were the theorist and critic John Ruskin and the designer, writer and activist William Morris who believed you should “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful” a sentiment I still try to live by today.




Pendryl Hall


One of the West Midland’s finest Country House Wedding Venues with accommodation, and originally named Pendryl Hall, this fabulous example of a Victorian Gentlemen’s residence was built for Edward Viles, a successful writer of Victorian so called ‘Penny Dreadfuls’, sensational stories of high adventure, villainy and intrigue, which were serialised and published in weekly instalments. His most memorable work was published anonymously in 1863 entitled ‘Black Bess; or The Knight of the Road. A Tale of the Good Old Times’, an exaggerated tale of Dick Turpin and his Highwaymen.

The Owners


The mildly eccentric owner’s pursuits were not limited to writing, the original plans for Pendryl Hall show a vast laboratory and dark rooms where he spent much of his time experimenting with techniques to perfect microphotography, the art of shrinking photographs to microscopic scale a very Victorian preoccupation.

In 1909 the hall was bought by Frank Gaskell, (the third son of the industrialist and art collector Holbrook Gaskell) who commissioned the accomplished architect; George Faulkner Armitage to completely remodel the hall. Armitage’s reimagining of Pendrell Hall is a key reason why the building received Grade II Listed status in 2011. It is considered that the Arts & Crafts features which he incorporated into the hall represent a fine example of this virtuous design movement.




Arts & Crafts Movement


The Arts & Crafts Movement placed great value on work, the joy of craftsmanship and the natural beauty of materials and this can be seen demonstrated to great effect throughout Pendrell Hall.

Almost every room showcases a splendidly ornate fireplace or carving, the door handles are exquisite! 

Pendrell Hall has undergone an extensive restoration and opened in 2013 as one of Staffordshire’s finest Country House Wedding Venues with accommodation. 


See Pendrell Hall Now!


Viewings available by appointment, this incredible civil ceremony wedding venue combines all the character and romance of Victorian England with clean contemporary interiors which complement its superlative Arts & Crafts features beautifully. 

Exclusively yours for the day and lovingly restored specifically to cater for the needs of your wedding party, this family-run venue aims to delight and inspire. We want your wedding day to be everything you’ve dreamed of and more.


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